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AcidBase Titrations
AP Chemistry Laboratory #6
Catalog No. AP9083

Publication No. 10530A

Introduction
A common question chemists have to answer is how much of something is present in a sample or a
product. If the product contains an acid or base, this question is usually answered by a titration.
Acidbase titrations can be used to measure the concentration of an acid or base in solution, to calculate the formula (molar) mass of an unknown acid or base, and to determine the equilibrium constant of a weak acid (Ka) or of a weak base (Kb).

Concepts
Weak acid

Equilibrium constant, Ka

Equivalent mass

Equivalence point

Titration curve

Background
Titration is a method of volumetric analysisthe use of volume measurements to analyze an
unknown. In acidbase chemistry, titration is most often used to analyze the amount of acid or base
in a sample or solution. Consider a solution containing an unknown amount of hydrochloric acid. In
a titration experiment, a known volume of the hydrochloric acid solution would be titrated by
slowly adding dropwise a standard solution of a strong base such as sodium hydroxide. (A standard
solution is one whose concentration is accurately known.) The titrant, sodium hydroxide in this
case, reacts with and consumes the acid via a neutralization reaction (Equation 1). The exact volume
of base needed to react completely with the acid is measured. This is called the equivalence point of
the titrationthe point at which stoichiometric amounts of the acid and base have combined.
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Equation 1

Knowing the exact concentration and volume added of the titrant gives the number of moles of
sodium hydroxide. The latter, in turn, is related by stoichiometry to the number of moles of
hydrochloric acid initially present in the unknown.
Indicators are usually added to acidbase titrations to detect the equivalence point. The endpoint of
the titration is the point at which the indicator changes color and signals that the equivalence point

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IN10530A
072303

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has indeed been reached. For example, in the case of the neutralization reaction shown in Equation
1, the pH of the solution would be acidic (< 7) before the equivalence point and basic (> 7) after
the equivalence point. The pH at the equivalence point should be exactly 7, corresponding to the
neutral products (sodium chloride and water). An indicator that changes color around pH 7 is therefore a suitable indicator for the titration of a strong acid with a strong base.
The progress of an acidbase titration can also be followed by measuring the pH of the solution
being analyzed as a function of the volume of titrant added. A plot of the resulting data is called a
pH curve or titration curve. Titration curves allow a precise determination of the equivalence point
of the titration without the use of an indicator.
In this experiment the equivalent mass of an unknown acid will be determined by titration. The
equivalent mass is defined as the mass of the acid that supplies one mole of hydrogen ions. The
acid, a solid crystalline substance, is weighed out and titrated with a standard solution of sodium
hydroxide. From the moles of base used and the mass of the acid, the equivalent mass of the acid
is calculated. The acid is then titrated a second time with the standard solution of sodium hydroxide and the course of the titration is followed by using a pH meter. A plot is constructed with pH
on the vertical (y) axis and the volume of NaOH on the horizontal (x) axis. From this graph the
value of the equilibrium constant (Ka) for the dissociation of the acid is determined.
An acid may contain one or more ionizable hydrogen atoms in the molecule. The equivalent mass
of an acid is the mass that provides one mole of ionizable hydrogen ions. It can be calculated from
the molar mass divided by the number of ionizable hydrogen atoms in a molecule. For example,
hydrochloric acid, HCl, contains one ionizable hydrogen atomthe molar mass is 36.45 g/mole,
and its equivalent mass is also 36.45 g/mole. Sulfuric acid, H2SO4, contains 2 ionizable hydrogen
atomsthe molar mass of H2SO4 is 98.07 g/mole but its equivalent mass is 49.04 g/mole. Thus,
either 36.45 g of HCl or 49.04 g of H2SO4 would supply one mole of H+ ions when dissolved in
water.
The equivalent mass is determined by titrating an acid with a standard solution of NaOH. Since
one mole of NaOH reacts with one mole of hydrogen ion, at the equivalence point the following
relation holds:
Vb Mb = moles base = moles H+
grams acid
EMa = +
moles H
where Vb is the volume of base added at the endpoint, Mb is the molarity of base, grams acid is the
mass of acid used, and EMa is the equivalent mass of the acid.
The concentration of the NaOH solution must be accurately known. To standardize the NaOH,
that is, to find its exact molarity, the NaOH is titrated against a solid acid, potassium hydrogen
phthalate (abbreviated KHP). The KHP is chosen because it is easily dried and weighed and has a
relatively high equivalent mass. The formula of KHP is:
KHP contains one ionizable H+. The titration is
followed using phenolphthalein as an indicator.

or

KHC8H4O4

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
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AcidBase Titrations

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The graph of pH versus volume of NaOH added (see Figure 1) is obtained by carefully following the
titration with a pH meter. There is a significant change in pH in the vicinity of the equivalence point.
Note that when a weak acid is titrated with a strong base, the equivalence point is NOT at pH 7, but is
on the basic side. The value of the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of the acid is obtained
from the graph.
If the dissociation of the acid is represented as:
H3O+ + A
HA + H2O
the equilibrium constant expression is:
[H3O+][A]
Ka =
[HA]
When the acid is half neutralized, [HA] = [A], these terms cancel in the above equation, and Ka
= [H3O+]. Therefore, when the acid is half-neutralized, the pH = pKa.
The point where pH is equal to pKa can be found from the graph. Refer to Figure 1.

Figure 1. pH during titration of a monoprotic weak acid with sodium hydroxide

A = Volume NaOH at equivalence point
B = 1/2 A = the volume of NaOH required to neutralize
one-half the acid when half-neutralized
C = pH when the acid is half neutralized = pKa
Experiment Overview
The purpose of this experiment is to standardize a sodium hydroxide solution and use the standard
solution to titrate an unknown solid acid. The equivalent mass of the solid acid will be determined
from the volume of sodium hydroxide added at the equivalence point. The equilibrium constant,
Ka, of the solid acid will be calculated from the titration curve obtained by plotting the pH of the
solution versus the volume of sodium hydroxide added.

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
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AcidBase Titrations

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Pre-Lab Questions
1. Calculate the equivalent mass of each of the following acids.
a. HC2H3O2

b. KHCO3

c. H2SO3

2. Calculate the molarity of a solution of sodium hydroxide, NaOH, if 23.64 mL of this solution
is needed to neutralize 0.5632 g of potassium hydrogen phthalate.

3. It is found that 24.68 mL of 0.1165 M NaOH is needed to titrate 0.2931 g of an unknown acid
to the phenolphthalein end point. Calculate the equivalent mass of the acid.

4. The following data was collected for the titration of 0.145 g of a weak acid with 0.100 M
NaOH as the titrant:
Volume NaOH added, mL
0.00
5.00
10.00
12.50
15.00
20.00
24.00
24.90
25.00
26.00
30.00

pH
2.88
4.15
4.58
4.76
4.93
5.36
6.14
7.15
8.73
11.29
11.96

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
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AcidBase Titrations

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a. Graph the data on the chart below.

b. What is the pH at the equivalence point?

c. Give the Ka and pKa value of the acid. Explain.

d. The following acidbase indicators are available to follow the titration. Which of them
would be most appropriate for signaling the endpoint of the titration? Explain.
Indicator
Bromphenol blue
Bromthymol blue
Thymol blue

Color Change
Acid Form Base Form
yellow
blue
yellow
blue
yellow
blue

pH Transition Interval
3.05.0
6.07.6
8.09.6

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
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AcidBase Titrations

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Materials
Buffer solution, pH 7, 50 mL

Balance, (0.001- or 0.0001-g precision)

Sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH, 0.1 M, 150 mL

pH sensor or pH meter

Phenolphthalein indicator solution, 1.0%, 1 mL

Buret, 50-mL

Potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHC8H4O4, 2 g

Weighing dish

Unknown weak acid, 1.5 g

Desiccator

Ring stand and buret clamp

Erlenmeyer flask, 125-mL or 250-mL

Beaker, 250-mL

Wash bottle

Funnel

Magnetic stirrer and stir bar

Safety Precautions
Dilute sodium hydroxide solutions are irritating to skin and eyes. Phenolphthalein is an alcoholbased solution and is flammable. It is moderately toxic by ingestion. Keep away from flames and
other ignition sources. Avoid contact of all chemicals with eyes and skin and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the laboratory. Wear chemical splash goggles and chemicalresistant gloves and apron.

Procedure
Part A. Standardization of a Sodium Hydroxide Solution
1. Obtain a sample of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) that has been previously dried in an
oven and stored in a desiccator.
2. On an analytical balance, accurately weigh 0.4 to 0.6 grams of KHP in a previously tared
weighing dish. Record the mass of the KHP in the Standardization Data Table.
3. Transfer the KHP into an Erlenmeyer flaskpour the solid through a funnel into the flask.
Use water from a wash bottle to rinse all of the remaining solid in the weighing dish or in the
funnel into the flask as well.
4. Add about 40 mL of distilled water to the flask and swirl until all the KHP is dissolved.
5. Obtain about 75 mL of the sodium hydroxide, NaOH, solution.
6. Clean a 50-mL buret, then rinse it with three small portions (about 7 mL each) of the NaOH
solution.
7. Fill the buret to above the zero mark with the NaOH solution.
8. Open the buret stopcock to allow any air bubbles to escape from the tip. Close the stopcock
when the liquid level is between the 0- and 10-mL marks.

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
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9. Measure the precise volume of the solution in the buret

and record this value in the Standardization Data Table
as the initial volume. Note: Volumes are read from
the top down in a buret. Always read from the bottom
of the meniscus, remembering to include the appropriate number of significant figures. (See Figure 2.)
10. Position the buret over the Erlenmeyer flask so that the
tip of the buret is within the flask but at least 2 cm
above the liquid surface.
11. Add three drops of phenolphthalein solution to the
KHP solution in the flask.

Figure 2. How to read a buret volume.

12. Begin the titration by adding 1.0 mL of the NaOH solution to the Erlenmeyer flask, then closing the buret stopcock and swirling the flask.
13. Repeat step 12 until 15 mL of the NaOH solution have been added to the flask. Be sure to continuously swirl the flask.
14. Reduce the incremental volumes of NaOH solution to 12 mL until the pink color starts to persist. Reduce the rate of addition of NaOH solution to drop by drop until the pink color persists
for 15 seconds. Remember to constantly swirl the flask and to rinse the walls of the flask with
distilled water before the endpoint is reached.
15. Measure the volume of NaOH remaining in the buret, estimating to the nearest 0.01 mL.
Record this value as the final volume in the Standardization Data Table.
16. Repeat the standardization titration two more times. Rinse the Erlenmeyer flask thoroughly
between trials with deionized water.
Part B. Determination of the Equivalent Mass of an Unknown Acid
1. Accurately weigh about 0.30.4 g of a sample of the unknown acid in a weighing dish using an
analytical balance. Record the mass in the Equivalent Mass Data Table.
2. Dissolve the unknown acid in 40 mL of distilled water and titrate to the phenolphthalein end
point as above in steps 5 through 16.
3. Record the initial and final volumes of NaOH solution in the Equivalent Mass Data Table.
4. Repeat one more time. Choose a mass for the second sample so that the volume of NaOH
needed is about 45 mL if using a 50-mL buret, or about 22 mL if using a 25-mL buret.
Part C. Determination of the pKa of the Unknown Acid
1. Set up a pH meter and electrode. Calibrate the pH meter using a buffer solution of pH 7.00.
Rinse the electrode well with distilled water.
2. On the analytical balance, weigh a sample of the unknown acid that requires approximately
20 mL of titrant.
3. Dissolve the sample in approximately 100 mL distilled water in a 250-mL beaker.
2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
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4. Fill the buret with the now standardized NaOH solution. Record the initital volume as the initial buret
reading in the pKa Data Table
5. Set the beaker containing the unknown acid solution
on a magnetic stirrer. Clamp the pH electrode so it is
submerged in the acid solution (Figure 3). Be sure
the stir bar does not hit the electrode. Set the stir bar
gently spinning.
5. When the pH reading has stabilized, record the initial pH of the solution in pKa Data Table.
6. Add about 1 mL of sodium hydroxide solution to
the beaker. Record the exact buret reading in pKa
Data Table.

Figure 3. Setup.

7. Record the pH of the solution next to the buret reading in the pKa Data Table.
8. Add another 1-mL increment of sodium hydroxide solution. Record both the buret reading and
the pH in pKa Data Table.
9. Continue adding sodium hydroxide in 1-mL portions. Record both the buret reading and the
pH after each addition.
10. When the pH begins to increase by more than 0.3 pH units after an addition, decrease the portions of sodium hydroxide added to about 0.2 mL.
11. Continue adding sodium hydroxide in about 0.2 mL increments. Record both the buret reading
and the pH after each addition.
12. When the pH change is again about 0.3 pH units, resume adding the sodium hydroxide in
1-mL increments. Continue to record both the buret reading and the pH after each addition.
13. Stop the titration when the pH of the solution is greater than 12. Record the final volume of
solution in the buret and the final pH.
14. Graph the data, with pH on the vertical axis and volume NaOH on the horizontal axis. Make
the graph large enough to reflect the care taken with the pH and volume measurements.

Disposal
Dispose of the titrated solutions, the sodium hydroxide solution, and any solid acid as directed by
your instructor.

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,r ecording,or any inf ormation storage
and retrieval system,without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.

AcidBase Titrations

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Data Tables
Standardization Data Table
Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Mass KHP, g
Final Volume, mL
Initial Volume, mL
Volume of NaOH added, mL
Molarity NaOH (Average) ______ M
Equivalent Mass Data Table
Trial 1

Trial 2

Mass Acid, g
Final Volume, mL
Initial Volume, mL
Volume of NaOH added, mL
Equivalent Mass (Average) _________ g/mol

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
and retrieval system,without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.

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pKa Data Table

Mass of Unknown Acid
Standard NaOH Concentration
Initial Buret Reading
Initial pH
Buret Reading (mL)

pH

Buret Reading (Cont.)

pH

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
and retrieval system,without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.

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Post-Lab Calculations and Questions

(Use a separate sheet of paper to answer the following questions.)
1. From the standardization data, calculate the molarity of the sodium hydroxide solution for each
trial. Average the values and enter the average in the Standardization Data Table.
2. From the equivalent mass data, calculate the equivalent mass of the unknown acid for each
trial. Average the values and enter the average in the Equivalent Mass Data Table.
3. Why is equivalent mass determined and not molar mass?
4. Why must the KHP and the acid samples be dried? If they are not dried, how would the results
change (high or low)?
5. Why must NaOH be standardized? Why cant an exact solution of NaOH be prepared?
6. From the graph of pH versus volume of NaOH, determine the pKa of the unknown acid.
Convert this value to Ka.
7. Why is the equivalence point in the titration of the unknown acid with sodium hydroxide not at
pH 7?

2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased AcidBase Titrations,Catalog No. AP9083,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
and retrieval system,without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.